Smith wins state title

By Jason McDaniel
Chronicle correspondent
VYPE magazine called Chris Smith Houston's Strongest Man" last year. After claiming the 123-pound state championship two weeks ago, he's officially the pound-for-pound strongest boy in Texas.
The Mayde Creek senior capped an impressive career with his first win at the Texas High School Powerlifting Association State Championships in Abilene by lifting a record 1,340 pounds.
For him it was a sense of finishing the goal," Rams coach Jay Jensen said. He wrapped up his career with three regional championships, one state championship and three top-three finishes at state."
Smith won his third regional title in record-breaking fashion, setting new Region IV, Division I marks in the squat (500 pounds), bench press (275), deadlift (600) and total weight (1,375).
That sent him to the state meet ranked No. 1 at 123 pounds. He placed third in state as a sophomore and was a disappointing second to Los Fresnos' Nick Laznovsky at 132 pounds last season.
It gave him all the motivation he needed to work even harder this year to make sure that didn't happen again," Jensen said.
But it almost did.
Smith got too heavy over Spring Break and had to cut weight the week before the state meet. He ended up squatting and benching less than he did at the regional meet but he had a trump card.
He again deadlifted 600 pounds a state record with a near world-record weight to win state by 70 pounds. His total of 1,340, though less than regionals, is a state record by more than 100 pounds.
Senior teammate Rafael Gallo was second at super heavyweight, helping the three-time defending regional champ Rams place fourth as a team, their highest finish.